The European Union is putting “every effort necessary” to avoid the Trump administration’s tariffs

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, Carlos Cuerpo, assured this Monday that the European Commission will put “all the necessary effort and all the necessary time” into trying to reach a trade agreement with the United States before July 9, the deadline that the President of the United States and his counterpart at the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, agreed last week after the Trump administration threatened to 
impose 50% tariffs on the community bloc due to the limited progress in the negotiations.

The Spanish government maintained on Monday that the European Union (EU) has maintained a “hands-out position” in negotiations to achieve “a balanced and fair agreement“, and that after the conversation between Von der Leyen and Trump, it remains “open and open to dialogue“. “The important thing is to stay the course in these negotiations and in this dialogue,” the Spanish trade minister argued after meeting in Madrid with María Luís Albuquerque, the Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investment Union.

The Economy Minister also emphasized that these negotiations will be conducted with a “constructive attitude“, but also “with a degree of firmness” because some of the US tariffs are already affecting European companies. It’s worth noting that although Trump approved a 90-day moratorium on the 20% tariffs he had imposed on the EU, the 10% universal tariff and the 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and the automotive sector remain in effect.

Commissioner Albuquerque, for her part, insisted that the European Commission has maintained “a firm position from the beginning” because Europe believes in free trade. She also emphasized that Brussels will defend the interests of Europeans and expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with the United States soon.

ARAGON ON TARIFFS: INTERLOCUTION AND GREATER TOUGHNESS

For the time being, and following the announcements made by the Vice President of the Government of Aragon, Mar Vaquero, following her last virtual meeting with Minister Cuerpo a week ago, Aragon will continue to maintain constant dialogue with the most affected social stakeholders and productive sectors, and the objective continues to include exploring new markets. At the same time, Azcón’s deputy urged the state official to be “more specific and committed” when responding to the tariff threat posed by the US administration.